Few Americans believe the Trump administration has helped bring justice in matters connected to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over six days that closed on Monday. Across the political spectrum the numbers are low; just 21% of Republicans said the administration had contributed to accountability in Epstein-related cases.
The survey found only 10% of respondents felt the Trump administration had aided efforts to hold people linked to Epstein responsible for alleged wrongdoing. In addition, roughly one in five respondents said they thought the clients allegedly associated with Epstein had been held to account.
Epstein, who pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution-related charges that included soliciting an underage girl, served time in prison and later died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019. Victims have alleged that wealthy and influential figures were shielded as official inquiries unfolded.
The Trump administration added to public attention on the matter with a January release of millions of Justice Department investigative files. Those documents named or included photographs of dozens of prominent individuals in business and government, among them President Trump.
Several corporate executives resigned this year after their names appeared in the released files, but the poll notes that none of those individuals have faced criminal charges. One of the people named in the files was Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who was reported to have met repeatedly with Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea to discuss expanding Gates’ philanthropic efforts. A spokesperson for Gates’ foundation said in February that the billionaire had "took responsibility for his actions" in a town hall meeting with employees regarding his ties to Epstein.
The survey underscores the political friction the Epstein matter has caused for President Trump. The poll states that Trump long amplified suspicions surrounding Epstein and that his administration has faced criticism for not fully disclosing what the U.S. government knew about the case.
Overall, 84% of poll participants - with similar proportions among Republicans, Democrats and independents - said the released files demonstrate that powerful people in the United States are rarely held accountable. About three-quarters of those surveyed said they believe the federal government is probably still concealing information about Epstein’s alleged clients.
Congressional investigators continue to probe the alleged crimes tied to Epstein, and at least one individual named in the files, Bill Gates, is scheduled to sit for a closed-door interview with congressional investigators on Wednesday. The poll’s results arrive while these legislative inquiries remain active.
Context and implications
The poll reflects strong public skepticism about institutional accountability when allegations involve high-profile figures. While the survey does not report criminal charges stemming from the files, it records reputational consequences for some executives and ongoing investigative activity by Congress.
As congressional scrutiny continues, the public’s view that information remains undisclosed by federal authorities is likely to shape political discourse and may influence how investigations proceed.